Pathways workshop set for May

Electric City is hosting a community workshop, led by Washington State University’s Rural Communities Design Initiative.

The meeting, one of two being planned, will run from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, May 14, in the Veterans Center in Electric City. The second such meeting date hasn’t yet been set.

The focus of the workshop will be parks, recreation and revitalization. The meeting is prompted by Electric City’s trail and pathways project, and needs in other park-like areas.

Guiding the WSU team, made up of professors Kathleen Ryan and Bob Krikac, will be the recent community survey made by city officials.

A letter has been sent out from the city to local Electric City businesses, stating: “It is very important for businesses to attend this workshop; developing activities and places for visitors to go will attract more tourists, encourage them to stay for longer periods of time, and ultimately foster growth for your business.”

WSU will be taking all of the ideas expressed at the meeting and formulate a visual concept for the city to use in its master plan.

This could include such things as crosswalks, sidewalks, parking, and informative signage.

City hall is asking those who attend to think about how Parks, Recreation and Revitalization will enhance the community and be good for businesses.

The letter went out to 29 Electric City businesses.

The workshop is also open to local residents, who are asked to share their views with the WSU workshop group. A number of students who are in the design school at WSU will be on hand also.

The community meeting was spurred by the city’s idea of developing a trail through the community.

A trail development could include barbecue pits, a water play pad, a cover for special events, bicycle lanes, interpretive kiosks and wildlife viewing areas.

The city has already pledged $40,000 from its hotel/motel tourism fund to support the WSU aid and to cover the cost of a finished plan.

And the city has already voted $400,000 from its hotel/motel fund to help with the completion of phase one of the trail, to go from Coulee Playland to North Dam Park.

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City still collecting surveys

Electric City residents still have another week to get their park survey in.

The city will receive the surveys, either in hard copy or via Internet, through May 4.

The surveys are important because the information they contain will help a Washington State University Rural Communities Design team in its first public workshop here May 14.

The city has received about 150 surveys back, about 100 hard copies and nearly 50 by Internet.

A preliminary look at the surveys show that people are concerned by both the looks of the city and also about recreation activities.

A handful stated they liked the city just like it is.

Some of the issues, besides a trail and sidewalk system, included benches to rest on, dog areas, playground equipment and ways that people can walk safely about the area.

A handful stated they didn’t want trails down by the lake; a few wanted to know how the trail network would be maintained.

Most interesting, the bulk of respondents stated that if the city had a work day, they would participate.

The city has proposed a small park near its treatment plant which would feature playground equipment for neighborhood children. The city has also proposed, and actually purchased land for, a new park behind the firehall. That drew some favorable response, as well as some opposing comments.

The trail system drew the most comment. Generally it received more favorable responses. People were interested in activities along the trail, such as a three-on-three basketball court, fishing stations, places where music and movies could be played and shown and space for public garage-type sales.

All will become public and people will be able to express their views at the public workshop May 14, at the Veterans Center in Electric City, starting at 6 p.m.